Although there has been no consensus in the debate surrounding incorporating AI tools such as ChatGPT into the academic world, various studies report exponential usage among the university community. This study comprehensively explored the level of usage and perception of ChatGPT among engineering students at Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana (UNITEC) Honduras. The methodology approach is a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, focusing on engineering students between the ages of 17 and 23, enrolled in their first through fifth year. Data collection involved administering structured surveys online to a sample of 416 engineering students across various disciplines. The surveys inquired about students’ familiarity with ChatGPT, their frequency of use, the purposes for which they employ it in their academic work, and their perceptions of its effectiveness and limitations. Among engineering students, there was notable awareness and utilization of ChatGPT, with up to 70% acknowledging familiarity with this tool. Less than 20% have received formal instruction concerning ethical considerations and the risks associated with erroneous data, which could potentially lead to instances of plagiarism when misused. The findings indicate significant interest among engineering students in using ChatGPT for academic support and task completion. Despite some reservations about its utility, a considerable proportion of students express a willingness to experiment with ChatGPT in their learning activities. It is important to provide training and support to teachers and students in mastering prompts and using the tool ethically and effectively to enhance the technical skills of engineering students.